Decompresson Cable stretched???

[SmokinX]

My 350x has gotten very hard to kick over lately. I adjusted decomp. cable according to manual twice. I weigh 210 lbs. and can barely get the thing to turn over now. Sometimes the kicker just stops moving about 3/4 's down. And when I do get the crank moving, it sounds like it doesn't spin more than 1 or 1 1/2 strokes. Do these cables become stretched out enough that even though properly adjusted at the head, it still won't be working properly. When I'm kicking it, the cable does move the arm. Just by searching past posts it seems like the only time you replace a cable is if the old one is snapped or missing.

[ATCnut]

If you can adjust the cable according to the manual, then it does not need to be replaced. Sounds like you have another problem.

[NOS_350X]

Are you shure its engageing when the kicker goes down. Push it down with you had and watch the lever move the cable, then watch the head side and make shure its pulling the leaver up (far enough)

[200xman]

If the valves are way out of adjustment the decompression cable won't do anything. I'd check those next.

[SmokinX]

I adjusted the valves last fall. She still runs pretty quiet on top end (for a 350X). When I push kicker down with hand, the cable pulls the arm (by valves) just about 1/4 in. Is this about right? Or should the arm be moving more than that? I did notice the cable has a couple loose strans of steel right next to the kicker but I wouldn't think that would make that big of a difference. Any help would be appreciated cause by the time I do get the be-otch started, the bottom of my foot is already shot!

[NOS_350X]

ok, well the decompression is working correcly.

Now make shure the bike is at TDC then pull the decomp lever on the head up. Adjust the cable so thats where it starts its pull. if that dosent work your screwed.

[jeswinehart]

i must be missing something inside the head cuz every now and then i need to reach up under the tank and shove the decompression arm assembly back into the motor. it ain't much by any means but my decompression release don't work unless it is shoved back into the head.
Howdy has been on my butt before about it so maybe this winter i'll take the top end off and see what is missing.

i just wanted to pass along what my trike is doing in case it might be the same problem ,,,

john

[SmokinX]

Thanks NOS 350_X !!!! I adjusted the decomp arm up at TDC just to the point that there was no play at all contradictory to the manual which says .5 to 1.5 mm's of free play and now it kicks like a charm. Just goes to show you that more than once in awhile there is more knowledge lurking around here than in the shop manuals!

[NOS_350X]

No problem, glad i could help.